Amira Lenachri on Chol Hamoed – Doing Melacha through a gentile:[1]

Any Melacha which is forbidden to be performed during Chol Hamoed by a Jew remains forbidden to be performed through asking a Gentile.

The need of a Mitzvah and the Moed:[2] It is permitted to ask a gentile to perform a forbidden Melacha on Chol Hamoed if the matter needs to be done for the sake of a Mitzvah which is pertinent on Chol Hamoed.[3] [If, however, the matter does not involve a Mitzvah, or is not pertinent for Chol Hamoed, then one may not ask a gentile to perform it.]

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[1] Admur 243:1 “And even on Chol Hamoed”; 468:5 “Amira Lenachri is Rabbinically forbidden on Shabbos, Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed”; Michaber 543:1; Moed Katan 12b; Tosafus Bava Metzia 90a; See Shemiras Hamoed Kehilchaso chapter 18

[2] M”A 543:1; Beis Yosef 532 in name of Hagahos Ashri regarding cutting nails of a Nida

[3] The reason: As some Poskim permit even on Shabbos for one to ask a gentile to perform a Melacha for the sake of a Mitzvah. [M”A ibid; See Michaber 307:5]